Airborne 12.09.16

Airborne Hi-Def On YouTube

Airborne 12.09.16

30-Day Cooling Off Period Begins

Spirit Airlines pilots have triggered the start of a 30-day
cooling-off period—which could result in a strike in the near
future if no agreement is reached—by rejecting the National
Mediation Board’s (NMB) proffer of arbitration on Wednesday,
May 5. The union now awaits the NMB’s notification of the day
on which the 30-day clock starts and the date for a possible
strike.

“The pilots of Spirit Airlines enter this end-game of
contract negotiations with the support of nearly 53,000 union
sisters and brothers.”

“As pilots, we would rather be in the air than on the
picket line. We want a fair contract—not a strike,”
said Captain Sean Creed, head of the Spirit unit of ALPA.
“However, this company has shown time and time again that it
doesn’t feel the need to bargain with us in good faith. We
hope that the added pressure of a strike deadline will help
management realize that a fair and equitable contract is in
everyone’s best interest.”

Spirit pilots have been in contract negotiations for more than
three years, with little or no progress made during this time. In
April 2009, 98 percent of the pilots voted to give their leadership
the power to call a lawful strike should negotiations continue to
stall. During contract talks, the company repeatedly demanded
unwarranted concessions, requesting that the pilots take
substantial cuts in benefits and work rule protection. Yet, Spirit
Airlines continues to expand its operations and make substantial
profits.

On April 6 and 7, the National Mediation Board (NMB) met with
pilot leaders and management representatives in a last-ditch effort
to work out an agreement. However, by the end of the negotiating
sessions, it was obvious the two sides had reached an impasse, and
further meetings would not result in a contract.

“The pilots of Spirit Airlines enter this end-game of
contract negotiations with the support of nearly 53,000 union
sisters and brothers,” said Capt. John Prater, president of
ALPA. “In addition, our full financial and staff resources
will be available to them until they achieve a new collective
bargaining agreement.”

In accordance with the Railway Labor Act, which governs labor
relations within the airline and railroad industries, the NMB
issued a proffer of binding arbitration on Monday, May 3. The
pilots rejected the proffer two days later to bring about a final
deadline in hopes of producing an agreement. Once either party
rejects the proffer, the NMB notifies the parties of the start of
the 30-day cooling-off period, after which the pilots are able to
lawfully go on strike.

“We continue to be available to negotiate a contract with
the company at any time,” said Capt. Creed. “But should
the cooling-off period end without a fair agreement, make no
mistake, this pilot group will strike.”